Eric Dier has given an honest verdict on how Tottenham are doing, how they can improve and his thoughts on the busy fixture schedule ahead. Spurs have had a solid start to the 2022/23 campaign, winning three and drawing one of their first four matches.
Antonio Conte's side haven't been at their best, but have still been getting some much needed points on the table, as he looks to finalise his squad with transfer deadline day quickly approaching. The Lilywhites' most recent game saw them secure three points at the City Ground, against Nottingham Forest.
After the game, Conte seemed relatively happy with his side's performance. "Yeah, I think we deserved to win," he admitted.
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"It was a difficult game against Nottingham Forest. It was the first time (playing them) and I was really surprised to listen to a lot of noise around the stadium and the pitch, and the Nottingham Forest fans pushed the team a lot. But at the same time I think we were good to overcome the moments that we suffered. We suffered, and stayed behind.
"I think in the second half we improved a lot because in the first half we didn't use a lot our midfielders, and we wanted to go in one side, another side, it was easier for Forest to put pressure and to make us feel a bit insecure," Conte added.
Dier admitted afterwards that Spurs can still improve further. "I think we can play a lot better but it's good we're still managing to pick up the points. Maybe that's where the mentality comes in. I think we can play a lot better than we have been in these last couple of games," he said.
He continued and reiterated this point. The defender didn't say the Lilywhites weren't doing well, but highlights that they can do better - a slightly different stance than the one Conte seemed to take.
"I just think we can perform better, especially in possession," Dier explained. "We can be better, we can create more chances, we can be more effective with the ball, we can keep possession better when we need to. We can do all of those things better. We're still playing well, getting wins. I just think we can play a lot better than what we have been."
What Tottenham do continue to do so well is counter-attack and take advantage of teams when things don't go completely their way, which is something the 28-year-old also mentioned. "Yeah, that's a strong part of our game. We know we're very well organised," he added.
"We can defend well, we're very compact and then in transition we have players with great characteristics to play in transition. But I think if we want to be a really top team then we have to play in many different ways, not only in transition but in possession as well. We can to create many ways to be effective."
The first few weeks of the season have seen the Lilywhites have almost a full week to prepare for their fixtures. However starting on Wednesday that all changes, with the mid-week matches starting and going right up until the break for the World Cup.
Dier admits that he's feeling good about the schedule, due to Tottenham's improved squad and the depth Conte has available. However he did say that he believes the scheduling of the season has been slightly inconsistent.
"We knew the last three weeks wouldn't represent what the season is going to be like but now it really starts," he added. "There's a lot of games. I think it's strange that we've had one game a week for three or four weeks, and then suddenly you're playing midweek games until November. It doesn't make much sense to me. But it is what it is.
"We have to look after ourselves as best we can in every single way. Our recovery, our professionalism, how we look after ourselves is going to be extremely important. We've had a great pre-season to give us the right base going into that period."
The demands in the Premier League seem to be ever-growing and perhaps this season more than ever, with the looming World Cup break. Dier didn't seem phased by the pressure and spoke on the enjoyment of playing.
"Nah, I enjoy playing. I don't mind," he added. "For me, it's no problem. I enjoy playing midweek games and I think we should enjoy playing as much as we can. I just think the schedule doesn't make sense in that for three or four weeks we've had one game a week. It doesn't make sense to then go up to mid-November with a game every midweek."
The England international has become a key player in Conte's squad. Not only as a defender in the backline and his on-field displays, but also his leadership qualities which help both on and off the pitch. The Italian will need the 28-year-old to continue having this impact, to help the Tottenham side get through the busy schedule, with improvements that still need to be made.
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